A CELEBRATION OF HISTORY. A photo from Congregation Beth Judah’s archives of its groundbreaking ceremony in 1930. Congregation Beth Judah of Ventnor will celebrate its 80th anniversary on Sunday, May 2, with a gala celebration beginning at 6 p.m.

“In 1930 when the first shovelful of dirt was turned on Ventnor Avenue, there was a small, but lively Jewish community,” said Congregation President Jay Weiner. “As the community grew, a succession of remarkable men and women led our congregation with great vision, infinite vigor and deep wisdom.

“We will honor our past presidents for creating a place of worship and a center for Jewish life that continues to serve its congregation and all of South Jersey to this day.”

Past presidents include Emanuel Biron, Samuel Kapnek, Harry Varbalow, Morris Bloom, Meyer Baylinson, Joseph Soloff, Charles Duell, Ephraim Sless, O. Jay Silverman, Maurice Cohen, David Bayless, David Feinstein, Henry L. Gartner, Joseph Y. Levin, Melvin S. Feldman, Charles B. Tolin, Michael L. Golden, Henry L. Cohen, Arthur Peskoe, Marvin Podolnick, Charles (Shy) Kramer, Samuel Rabinowitz, Jacob Fleishman, Charles Tannenbaum, Charles W. Kramer, Michael J. Neustadter, Ronnie Cohen, Leo B. Schoffer, Sheila B. Friedman, Steven S. Scherzer, Barry D. Cohen, Robert P. Lang, David L. Blecker, and Douglas S. Stanger.

A program book is being created for the evening as a treasured keepsake. Ads in the program book are being solicited priced from $100 through $2,500. Additional information on tickets, entertainment and menu will be forthcoming. For more information, contact Ethel Levinson at 822-7116.